Kylie in high spirits as surgery succeeds

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Singer Kylie Minogue is expected to make a full recovery from
breast cancer, after surgery at a Melbourne hospital caught the
disease "in time".

Her surgeon, Dr Jenny Senior, confirmed yesterday that the star
was "feeling fine" and her spirits were high after the successful
operation.

"I'm very pleased to be able to confirm that the operation was
successful," she said.

"I feel confident that we caught the cancer in time and that she
is now on the road to complete recovery."

The surgery was performed at 5pm on Friday at St Frances Xavier
Cabrini Hospital, in Malvern.

She was diagnosed earlier in the week, forcing the indefinite
postponement of her Showgirl Tour, which had been due to open in
Sydney on Thursday night. More than 200,000 tickets to her greatest
hits tour - one of Australia's biggest this year - had already been
sold.

The surgeon would not comment on how long Minogue's recovery
would take, and did not respond to questions from the large
contingent of media.

The specialist breast surgeon at Cabrini praised the 36-year-old
as a model patient.

"Kylie has been the perfect patient and has charmed all my
staff," she said.

"I just wish I could have met her under happier
circumstances.

"I would also like to thank Kylie, her family and (boyfriend)
Olivier (Martinez) for making my job very easy.

"They were so welcoming," she said, emphasising each word.

Minogue's boyfriend, French actor Martinez, and sister, Dannii,
are both believed to have visited her in hospital as she
recuperated.

Through her surgeon, the London-based pop star thanked her fans
for their support since her diagnosis was made public on
Tuesday.

"Kylie has asked me to pass on her thanks once again to all who
have expressed their love and concern for her," Dr Senior said.

"Your support has certainly helped her through a tough
time."

It is not known whether the singer is in hospital or at her
parents' Canterbury home.

"Kylie is currently resting after the operation and her spirits
are high and she's feeling fine," Dr Senior said. "She has her
family and friends around her."

She praised hospital staff for their help in diagnosing and
operating on Minogue's cancer.

"The operation is considered best-practice around the world for
a girl with an early breast cancer," she said.

"The management of girls with an early breast cancer involves a
team, and I would really like to thank the radiology and pathology
staff at Cabrini Hospital for assisting me in my pre-operative
assessment of Kylie's condition."

Minogue's surgeon Jenny Senior.Photo:Craig Sillitoe

She spoke of continuing management of Minogue's condition,
thanking nursing staff for "assisting me in caring for Kylie while
she recovers".

Minogue's plight has increased interest in the disease, which
kills 2500 Australians each year. In the past 24 hours, at least
$8000 has been donated to the Cancer Council's Kylie Minogue Breast
Cancer Fund, set up after Minogue's management encouraged fans to
make a donation in her name rather than sending cards or
flowers.

The Cancer Council said that donations had come from here and
overseas.

The director of the Cancer Council's Helpline, Doreen Akkerman,
said funds raised would help women of all ages affected by breast
cancer.

"We've already had many calls from women wanting more
information about breast cancer," she said.

British fans are also helping to elicit donations for cancer
research. James Greenwood, of Yorkshire, created the Save Kylie's
Boobs website in memory of his mother and grandmother, who both
died of breast cancer.

"We intended to turn a £6 domain name into £1000 for
charity," he said. "I've no exact figures. . . but I'm led to
believe we're well past that."